Having located a family in one of the census returns, how can one find out where the property in which they lived is located and what it looked like? An intriguing question, the solution to which is often hampered by the destruction of property during two world wars and the actions of property developers. The examples used will concentrate on the 1911 census, but will suggest avenues for earlier properties. Dr. Christopher T. Watts, FSG has nearly 40 years experience in English genealogical research, both on his own family and professionally. He recently retired after 11 years as a part-time Reader Adviser at The National Archives. He has published books on Merchant Seamen, British Army and Tracing Births, Deaths and Marriages at Sea. He is a regular speaker here in the UK and at conferences overseas. We apologise for the variable sound quality during the recording.

The National Archives holds possibly the greatest collection of untapped source material for heralds and heraldry in this country. This lecture examines evidence stretching back over eight and a half centuries: seals, illuminated manuscripts, medieval rolls, treaties, grants of arms, state occasions, architectural drawings, military badges and even wooden chests. The result is an astonishing and colourful display of what is often unknown heraldic material. Adrian Ailes is a Principal Records Specialist at The National Archives and in 1997 organised an exhibition on Heraldry in the Public Records. He is a Fellow of the Heraldry Society and an academician of the Academie internationale d'héraldique.

'In the High Court of Justice' examines the records of the Chancery Division of the High Court (the post-1875 successor of the Chancery Court). This talk shows what is available and how to find your way around the documents. The recently transferred records of the Court Funds Office is also discussed and Dr Watts uses a worked example - a case over a disputed will - that was in the High Court for 49 years! The case names over 200 individuals over five generations - giving their relationship and dates and places of birth, marriage and death. The talk contains guidance on the use of these records for all users not just family historians. Dr Christopher T. Watts, FSG has nearly 40 years experience in English genealogical research, both on his own family and professionally. He recently retired after 11 years as a part-time Reader Adviser at The National Archives. He has published books, including My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman, My Ancestor was in the British Army and Tracing Births, Deaths and Marriages at Sea. He is a regular speaker in the UK and at conferences overseas.

There is no single place to find all the birth, marriage and death records of the British overseas. However, The National Archives holds a substantial number of them, in a variety of record collections. This talk looks at civilian and military registers kept by the British authorities, and by churches, consulates and other bodies abroad. Please note that this talk does not include events at sea, which are the subject of a separate talk. Speaker Keith Mitchell joined The National Archives ten years ago and specialises in overseas birth, marriage and death records.

We all go shopping, albeit with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and many of us have also worked in shops. It was the same for our ancestors, and although the records may not always be easy to find, they are out there if you know where to look. There is also a wealth of background material to show us what our ancestors' shopping and shopkeeping experience was like.

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that agricultural labourers are boring and that you can't trace anything about them. In fact they can be very interesting, and there's lots of information to be found if you know where to look. This talk covers resources available in The National Archives, parish and county records, and manor, estate and farm sources.
Mark Pearsall is the Principal Records Specialist - Family History and works in the Records Knowledge team in the Advice and Records Knowledge Department. He has worked in several departments of The National Archives over the years and has contributed articles to a number of family and local history publications. He is the author of The Family History Companion and co-authored The National Archives Guides on Immigrants and Aliens and Family History on the Move. He has also produced transcriptions and finding aids for various record series.

This talk covers the period from the mid-17th century to the present day and explains the different legal courts and types of cases they heard. Illustrations of individual cases with images of the associated legal documents held at The National Archives are included. Nigel Taylor is a legal records specialist at The National Archives, giving advice on records for criminals and for civil litigation cases. He also specialises in records of wills and death duty records. He has worked at The National Archives for over 20 years.

The Land Tax was created in 1692 and was voted annually by Parliament until 1798 when it became a perpetual charge, which could be redeemed by the payment of a lump sum. After 1949 compulsory redemption was introduced in certain circumstances until the Finance Act of 1963 abolished all unredeemed land tax from 25 March 1963. This talk looks at the operation of the land tax, redemption, and the work of the Land Tax Redemption Office and its surviving records in series IR 20 to IR 25. Mention is also made of surviving land tax returns in county record offices and archives. Mark Pearsall is the Principal Records Specialist - Family History and manages the Family History team in the Advice and Records Knowledge department. He has written guides and contributed articles to a number of family and local history publications, and has also produced transcriptions and finding aids for various record series.